How India might feature against England

The series against Ireland was a mismatch between the No.3 ranked, and No.17 ranked side. And as was expected from India, they dominated Ireland from the outset. The Indian top order performed adroitly and didn't give the middle order any chance to impress; the wrist spinners used their variations well too.

The only problem that India has is the problem of plenty, especially with 3 openers who are in exceptional form. If there were any questions about Rohit's batting form, he answered them with a 97 in the first T20I. Dhawan has got over 900 runs in 2018 in T20s with an average of 41 and a strike rate of 143. Rahul has never been in such red-hot form. In 2018 he has made 771 runs at an average of 51 and a strike rate of 160.

Kohli mentioned this problem in the post-match presentation too, "I'm having a headache now about whom to pick, they've all done so well with the bat, but it's a good problem to have. It's a great phase for Indian cricket, and I'm happy the youngsters are doing well and taking their chances with both hands. Our bench-strength has shown as well, with the guys shining through."

It would surely be a happy headache for the management, and this might be the team that India got with for the first T20I.

Openers

Shikhar Dhawan

There are no question marks over Shikhar Dhawan's place in the team at the moment. He got rested after he scored 74 in the first T20I vs Ireland which shows that the management has got trust in him. He should be a starter for the T20I against England.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul has a spectacular record in the IPL as well as in the T20 Internationals. In this year's IPL he scored 659 runs with a strike rate of 160. His innings of 70 in 36 balls in the second T20I against Ireland has silenced all the critics, and with Rohit getting tried at 4 in the previous match, Rahul should be the second opener alongside Dhawan.

Middle Order

This should be India's trio in the middle order

Virat Kohli

After a duck in the first T20I, he went all guns blazing in the second T20I which didn't work out well for him. He would have surely liked to start well on this big tour, but he is too good a player to just be judged by two bad performances. After poor outings as a finisher and as an opener he should be back at his beloved No.3 position against England.

Rohit Sharma

Though he failed at the No.4 position in the previous game, he might continue to bat here as India is trying to fit Rahul into the team. Also, Rohit has shown that he is ready to do what is in the benefit of the team as he vacated his opening position in the IPL as well. With Rohit batting at 4, he would provide India with experience as well as solidity in the middle order.

Suresh Raina

He will play a crucial role in the lower middle order as he can take on bowlers from the first ball itself. His 69 off 45 balls against Ireland had an excellent combination of caution and aggression. He is also experienced and can stabilise the side if early wickets fall.

Finishers

MS Dhoni

He would again have to go back to the No.6 position and repeat his IPL heroics. Though he played the majority of the IPL at No.5, a left-hander like Suresh Raina at No.5 could be more useful as it would help India to maintain to the left-hand, right-hand combination.

Also, his best innings of the IPL came at No.6 where he scored 70 off 34 balls and also won the Man of the Match award. If he can rewind the clock in international cricket just like he did in IPL, India will be able to post big totals.

Hardik Pandya

He has had a fantastic couple of games against Ireland with the bat as he scored 5 sixes off the 10 balls he faced. He also didn't lose his wicket in the entire series.

With the ball, its been a different story altogether. He was very expensive in the first game, and he bowled just 2 overs in the second game. As India is looking at him as their 5th bowler, his bowling form would be crucial for India to succeed in England.

Spinners

Can he be effective against the English side as well?

Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal

These spin twins were again splendid against Ireland. The Irish batsmen found it very difficult to read their variations. As a result, these two got 13 off Ireland's 20 wickets in the series.

Kuldeep Yadav won the Man of the Match in the first match while Chahal won the Man of the Series. Chahal is the highest rated T20I bowler for India.

There is no doubt that these two will make it to the XI against England as well.

Fast Bowlers

Bumrah will be a huge miss for India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In the 2018 IPL, his performance was below par as he took just 9 wickets. He also suffered a few niggles in the IPL and missed matches. But in the first T20I, he was again very economical giving away runs at 4 an over. After a rest in the previous game, he is expected to take his place back.

With England openers in top form, his ability to take wickets upfront would be vital for India.

Siddarth Kaul

Bumrah is arguably the best death bowler amongst those who are currently playing in the International circuit. He is the highest ranked bowler in ODIs, and the highest ranked pacer in the T20I rankings. He can not only be useful in death but can also take wickets in the first powerplay.

As Bumrah has been ruled out of the T20I series, Siddharth Kaul, who is another bowler who had an excellent IPL will take his place. After a good debut, he will look to continue that against England